my useful boards: we’re just sleepwalking: after midnight car drive till the city asphalt gives you numbness while the tires spin into the foggy neon lights;
trendhunter: i literally discovered this website about an hour ago. it seems to work really well to find fashion editorials and photoshoots, all you need is to type a theme of what you want and it’ll give you a list of articles. just be aware of the low quality of the pictures, though it does seem to give a link to a better quality along with the source.
fashiongonerogue: a lot of people i know on tumblr use this website and tbh it’s probably because it has a lot of great editorials in it with high quality photos.
photographers:
doyouspeakfrench (aka fanny latour lambert): i’m always browsing her archives on tumblr for inspiration. probably my favorite photographer ever.
petra collins:the best photographer when it comes to “the boredom of teenage girls” and 80′s-ish stuff.
brian ziff:i’ve always loved his flowerly gothic work and tbh i needed to check his stuff again cause it had been at least a year since i last saw it and god, it’s looking super great.
there’s probably more but that’s all i can remember now. but if you need more especific help don’t be afraid to ask me, i love helping with that kind of stuff since i barely get any help myself lol and well, about stealing someone’s photo: it’s complicated indeed but i think if you just
pay attention to every source and if they mind or not if you use the
pictures (or if the picture has no source it’s most likely it won’t even
be a problem) it’s already a lot easier for you to make your edits
without too much worry. and let’s face it, with the amount of people
that use images without asking the owner for permission, it becomes quite hard for anyone to be sued or even
to keep track of it lmao. but then that’s a bit of my opinion anyway…
Now that the EU has been officially axed from canon, I feel it is my solemn duty to spread knowledge of the treasures it contains more than ever before.
And so, it is with great pleasure and extreme prejudice towards certain story arcs that I present to you; My Extremley Selective and Excessivley Biased In Favor of Happy Endings Star Wars EU Masterpost.
This masterpost is not exhaustive. This masterpost is not even complete. Some of the books on this list I haven’t even read, and many more are omitted for the same reason. Certain series in particular have been omitted by virtue of being Too Sad and Flying Flagrantly In The Face of All That Star Wars Stands For. Fortunatley these books are no longer canon, so there are no grounds for massive baby white fanboys to get on my case about ignoring them. And some of these books are absolutley terrible but they’re here anyway because I suffered through them and so must you.
Some of these have links to PDF files, some of them don’t. I feel like I should urge you to buy them even though I have not bought many of these myself. So um, yeah, be legal kids, and keep the internet poilice off your case.
Books are listed in a vague sort of chronological order. Dates, such as they are, are given in the traditional BBY (before the battle of Yavin, ie. Episode IV) and ABY (after the Battle of Yavin) format, and are all cribbed off Wookiepedia.
I haven’t included the movie novelisations in this list, but for the love of everything good in this world please read Matthew Stover’s Revenge of the Sith novelisation it is absolutley essential.
Please please please feel free to add to this list if you find more links, rarer tales, or really really really good stuff that you have read and I haven’t. And don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten the comics. Those are coming later.
THE OLD REPUBLIC 5000 BBY – 1000 BBY
Ok, I’ll be honest, I have read literally zippy zap about the Old Republic, Darth Bane, or the rise of the Sith, so I have nothing to say here. If anyone has recommendations then please tell me. Wookiepedia has a nice list if you want to forge ahead.
RISE OF THE EMPIRE 1000 BBY – 19 BBY
Darth Plagueis– Darth Plagueis is one of theose novles that everyone collectivley freaks out about and which I still haven’t read. Boy, this list sure is getting off to a good start. Nevertheless it is meant to be really really good. Set when Palpatine is just a wee little Sith Lord, it chronicles his training under Dath Plagueis the Wise. Yeah. ThatDarth Plagueis. It fills in a lot of gaps in the Prequel’s backstory, like; who is Palpatine really? Who was Darth Plagueis? And most importantly, where the heck did Anakin come from?
The Jedi Apprentice Series – The Jedi Apprentice Series consists of 18 young reader novels revolving around the shenanigans of Padawan Kenobi and Master Jinn before The Phantom Menace. Remembered fondly by PT-era kids like myself for it’s stellar characterisation of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon and excellent supporting cast (Bant Eerin and Tahl and Siri Tachi), it is ideal for those wishing to Have Feelings about Qui-Gon and his apprentice. All credit for the download link goes to dyingsighs.
Legacy of the Jedi and Secrets of the Jedi– These are two collections of interconnected short stories which tie into the larger Jedi Apprentice and Jedi Quest series. Legacy explores the relationships between Master and Padawan – Yoda and Dooku (YES ACTUAL BABY DOOKU), Dooku and Qui-Gon, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan and Anakin – while Secrets has the lesser known title of Jedi in Love: I Didn’t Ask For These Feelings.
Rogue Planet – Rogue Planet is… a bit odd? But okayish. There are lots of cute teacher/student bonding moments between Kenobi and his tiny apprentice (HONEST TO GOODNESS HUGS), and I guess Tarkin shows up too, but it’s a bit too out of character and out of continuity to settle well. Like it’s OK but not amazing.
The Jedi Quest Series – Jedi Quest comes with the tagline “Chosen by Fate. Destined for Conflict.”, so you can imagine the sort of feelings it will induce. A sister series to Jedi Apprentice, it follows much the same formula, except this time with Angsty Teen Anakin and Exasperated Parental Figure Obi-Wan. Because I am lazy you can look for your own torrent or google the individual book titles + PDF.
Outbound Flight – Bear with me for a moment as I attempt to control my emotions. It’s just… Outbound Flight means so much to me. Set between TPM and AOTC, it serves as a prequel to Zahn’s later works and sets up crucial backstory for The Thrawn Trilogy. I personally think it works best if you read it afterwards, but you can do whatever you prefer. A really neat exploration of the role played by the Jedi in the Republic, and especially how they were viewed by civilians. Also Lorana Jinzler someone protect this precious child.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Novels – The Clone Wars tie-in novels are probably still considered canon, which is fortunate because they are all astounding. Wild Spaceis first in the series, and picks up where the closing scenes of Attack of the Clones left off. Featuring some intense Anakin/Padme shipping, Anakin dealing with his new role as general and Ahsoka’s master, and what I like to refer to as How Obi-Wan and Bail Organa Became Friends: A Hurt/Comfort Road Trip Fanfic For the Ages. It’s really quite flabbergasting. No Prisonersfollows, and features Ahsoka and Rex striking out on a mission of their own with none other than special guest star Gilad Pellaeon. Meanwhile, Anakin discovers a breakaway sect of the Jedi Order who are reasonable about things like relationships and emotions, and begins to question his place. (I can’t find the link I used to have if someone can find it GIMME). Stealth and Siege are the last two in the series, and Stealth ends on a cliffhanger leading into Siege – a cliffhanger for which I have never had a resolution ‘cause I can’t find the PDF. Nevertheless, Stealth is really well written with some heartbreakingly wonderful insights into Ahsoka and her Master’s relationship, the return of Lok Durd (ugh), and a dinner party in which Anakin and Padme re-enact this Kate Beaton comic.
Shatterpoint – Shatterpoint is a chronicle of that time when Lucasfim remembered that Mace Windu was played by Samuel L. Jackson and decided to exploit it. Twenty pages in and Mace Windu has bribed government officials, been irritated by travelling stand-up comedians, beaten up a load of dudes at the customs house while stark naked, and uttered the actual line ”How long will it take you to get over being dead?”.
The Med-Star Duology – The Med-Star series – Battle Surgeons and Jedi Healer – is a poorly veiled excuse for the oppourtunity to create Star Wars M*A*S*H. One of my favourite Clone Wars novels, it follows Barriss Offee and a motley group of doctors and nurses of a mobile hospital unit in the jungles of the Outer Rim.
IMPERIAL ERA 19 BBY – 4 ABY
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader – This novel is just a neat little vehicle for us to explore what goes on in Vader’s head immediatley after ROTS. Essential and heartbreaking.
Death Star – This is one of my favourites. A really fun and sad and sweet novel featuring an enemble cast behind the scenes of the ultimate weapon. This tells the story that the movie couldn’t – the architects, librarians, bartenders, pilots, gunners, smugglers, and doctors who called the Death Star their home. Way to go Luke (JUST KIDDING).
Allegience– ”In 0 ABY, a slightly inept stormtrooper unit was framed for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the intergalactic underground. Today, still wanted by the government they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them….maybe you can hire… these guys.” That’s it it’s a stormtrooper A-Team AU guest starring sub-plots by Mara Jade and the Big Three. It’s really really good.
I’m not even going to touch Shadows of the Empire I don’t understand it at all.
NEW REPUBLIC ERA 5 ABY AND ONWARDS
The X-Wing Series – Yet another series I have failed to read, despite revolving around the various shenanigans of Rogue Squadron who are my third favourite thing about the OT. Why haven’t I read these? I DON’T KNOW I’M A TERRIBLE PERSON. Again, no PDFs, but I believe there are torrents floating around.
The Courtship of Princess Leia – This book is, as phil-the-stone so accurately describes it, “a trashy star wars version of shrek two”. It’s just really really bizarre and OOC and features a tap dance by C-3PO.
Tatooine Ghost – While on a mission to Tatooine, Leia discovers the truth about her father’s childhood and learns to make peace with the past. Featuring Grandma Shmi’s adorable diary and a lot of newlywed Han and Leia schmoop.
The Thrawn Trilogy– Oh boy. This is it. The Big One. I’m not even going to tell you why you should read them other than the fact that they are the most important Star Wars novels of all time why are you still here there is no time to waste. (xxx)
Young Jedi Knights – A very charming and cute series of six books aimed at young readers, following Anakin Solo’s training. Also, *points at Tahiri* luv that girl.
Junior Jedi Knights – Another charming series, this time focusing on Jacen and Jaina’s adventures with their friends. Written for young teens, it takes a slightly darker tone but everything wraps up happily. I can’t find a nice downloadable for these two so y’all are on your own for this one. But it’s worth it.
After this a bunch of stuff happens that I haven’t read and would probably upset me if I did.
Then comes the New Jedi Order series and the Yuuzahn Vong thing happens.
No.
I don’t care how popular these books are Chewbacca and Anakin Solo die and there is no way I will ever accept them.
Then there’s the Legacy of the Force series and if you thought NJO was bad you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
Don’t read them they are awful. And not ‘oh my heart and feelings’ awful. Emotionally manipulative and doing dark sad things for cheap thrills awful.
Next up is Fate of the Jedi which continues the tradition of awful decisions the writers were allowed to make. Quick question for people who read these: why don’t you love yourselves?
In case you haven’t noticed this is where I stop caring and instead read irnan’s Swallows and Amazons AU.
So there you have it. Feel free to tell me where you think I’m wrong. I mean, I probably won’t take any notice if you do but suggestions and comments are welcome. Enjoy, anyway.
Krita– Krita offers CMYK support, HDR painting, perspective grids, dockers, filters, painting assistants, and many other great features
GIMP – GIMP is a well known free alternative to Photoshop with similar features
Mischief Free Version – With six essential brushes, a basic palette of colors and an infinite vector canvas, Mischief-Free is perfect for hashing out ideas, life drawing, and endless doodles
MyPaint – MyPaint is a fast and easy open-source graphics application for digital painters, and comes with 39 different brushes
Verve Painter– Verve is a small painting application that uses fluid dynamics and brushes to push the paint around, though it is still in development.
Inkscape– Inkscape is an open-source professional quality vector graphics software with sophisticated drawing tools with capabilities comparable to Adobe Illustrator.
FireAlpaca – A similar program to Paint Tool Sai that offers features such as a snap feature which creates a variety of perspective overlays.
MediBang Paint – A free lightweight painting program for Windows, Mac Os and Android with cloud saving to allow users to easily switch between platforms.
SpeedyPainter – Basic painting program with a simple layout and features such as perspective grids and reference view mode
3D Modelling
Google Sketchup – Drawing-based tool for architects, designers, builders, makers and engineers who design for the physical world. SketchUp Make is a free version and SketchUp Pro is a paid version with additional functionality.
Sculptris– A free, introductory digital sculpting tool, a great stepping stone for digital sculptors, created by the makers of Zbrush.
Blender – A powerful application with full-fledged professional tools, Blender has a wide community and resources to help you learn.
SculptGL– This handy modelling program works online in your browser and is compatible with wacom tablets
Animation
Synfig – Synfig Studio is a free and open-source 2D animation software, designed as powerful industrial-strength solution for creating film-quality animation using a vector and bitmap artwork.
EmoFuri – EmoFuri is a new animation software that helps artists easily animate photoshop illustrations in a 2D-3D style.It uses PSD files of character illustrations to animate them.
Pencil2D– Pencil2D is an open-source animation/drawing software that lets you create traditional hand-drawn animation using both bitmap and vector graphics.
Live2D– This increasingly popular 2D-3D animation software is similar to Emofuri with sample models available to experiment with, and is also available in english.
Pixel Art
Piskel– An online pixel art app that lets you animate pixel art with a live preview of your work.
Piq – While it doesn’t have the best looking layout, this online tool has lots of interesting features including a colour-drift tool that’s great for making colour palettes.
Etc
Thisissand – An online fun and unique playground for creating colourful sandscapes, also comes in an app version
Flame Painter – A free demo of the full program, it allows you to try out the flame generator and change different brush settings and paint your own flame paintings
Silk – An online interactive generative art program that creates bright silk-like patterns, with options to change colours and rotational symmetry.
Bomomo – This interesting program has a group of dots that move around the screen in the pattern you choose, then paint the canvas according to when you click the screen.
They aren’t using Photoshop they’re using Adobe Aftereffects, which I don’t use/have knowledge about. There is a video on YouTube that might help you here:
I’m guessing that you create the typography motion graphic on a black background, so when you export it you can just import it to photoshop and place it’s layers on screen, which then makes it transparent over a gif.
a couple of tumblr functions if you didn’t know about them:
you can make tags on an individual blog display from the earliest to latest post by adding /chrono to the end, for example: http://gameofgifs.tumblr.com/tagged/season_202/chrono
you can search through a tumblog by date using “http://username.tumblr.com/day/YEAR/MONTH/DAY”, for example: http://gameofgifs.tumblr.com/day/2012/09/16
you can view just the photo posts on your dashboard in mosaic form by going to http://www.tumblr.com/photos
you can save ask messages to your queue or drafts by hovering your mouse over the publish button and holding down “alt”, which will bring up alternative options
by using the url “http://www.tumblr.com/show/type of post” you can filter your dash, for example “http://www.tumblr.com/show/photos” will show only photos
you can retrieve previously used themes via the theme recovery page: http://www.tumblr.com/themes/recover
when reblogging a long text post (like this one!), click on the “as” at the top of the post to reblog as a text post, link or quote
Do Not Link allows skeptics to ethically link to content we wish to criticize, without unintentionally promoting it.
So you know how when you criticise an article on a horrible site like the Daily Mail and link so people can see the original page, search engines see that as “someone is interested in this page,” and activity by people criticising the page looks just like activity by people liking it? So the horrible site goes up the Google search results? And the horrible site goes “whooo, lots of hits and links, guess that article was popular” and decides to create more horrible articles like it?
When you’re linking to horrible sites, use DNL: from the user end it works like tinyurl or bit.ly, but it doesn’t give the website attention.
